Microsoft Azure Fundamentals (AZ-900)
The AZ-900 validates core Azure cloud concepts for beginners, offering a solid foundation without requiring technical experience.
- Exam fee
- $99
- Typical salary
- $85K–$105K
AZ-900 is ideal for newcomers who need a validated understanding of Azure without deep technical depth. If you already have extensive cloud experience, a more advanced certification may be a better investment.
What AZ-900 covers
Entry point into Microsoft Azure cloud. No technical background needed. Validates core cloud and Azure concepts.
Key topics covered: Cloud concepts, Azure services overview, Pricing & support, Security basics, Governance & compliance.
Best suited for: Anyone looking to understand Azure fundamentals — developers, admins, sales teams.
Common career paths: Junior Cloud Admin, Azure Support, Cloud Coordinator.
AZ-900 exam details
Exam domains
- Cloud concepts
- Azure services overview
- Pricing & support
- Security basics
- Governance & compliance
At a glance
- Exam fee
- $99
How to prepare for AZ-900
| Stage | What to do | Time |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Understand Cloud Basics Learn fundamental cloud concepts, service models, and deployment models to build the conceptual foundation. | Week 1 |
| 2 | Explore Azure Core Services Familiarize yourself with Azure compute, storage, networking, and database offerings through hands‑on labs. | Week 2 |
| 3 | Pricing, SLA, and Support Study Azure pricing tiers, cost‑management tools, service level agreements, and support options. | Week 3 |
| 4 | Security, Governance, and Compliance Review Azure security fundamentals, identity management, governance policies, and compliance frameworks. | Week 4 |
| 5 | Practice Exams & Review Take practice quizzes, identify weak areas, and revisit key concepts to solidify knowledge before the test. | Week 5 |
Jobs and salary with AZ-900
People holding this certification commonly report pay around $85K–$105K. Pay depends heavily on role, location and total experience. See the salary breakdown.
Roles this certification supports
AZ-900 questions answered
What is the Microsoft Azure Fundamentals (AZ-900) certification?
The AZ-900 validates core Azure cloud concepts for beginners, offering a solid foundation without requiring technical experience. It is issued by Microsoft and sits in the Cloud Computing field.
Is Microsoft Azure Fundamentals (AZ-900) hard?
Microsoft Azure Fundamentals (AZ-900) is rated Beginner. Most candidates can prepare without prior professional experience in the field.
How much does the Microsoft Azure Fundamentals (AZ-900) exam cost?
The listed exam fee is $99. Fees vary by country and change over time, so confirm the current price with Microsoft before you book.
What salary can I expect with Microsoft Azure Fundamentals (AZ-900)?
Professionals with Microsoft Azure Fundamentals (AZ-900) commonly report pay in the $85K–$105K range. Actual pay depends on role, location and total experience.
How should I prepare for Microsoft Azure Fundamentals (AZ-900)?
Start with the official exam outline, build hands-on practice for each domain, then finish with timed practice questions. The study plan on this page breaks this into steps.
Alternatives to AZ-900
| Certification | Vendor | Level |
|---|---|---|
| AWS Solutions Architect Associate | Amazon Web Services | Intermediate |
| AWS Cloud Practitioner | Amazon Web Services | Beginner |
| Microsoft Azure Administrator (AZ-104) | Microsoft | Intermediate |
| Google Cloud Associate Cloud Engineer | Google Cloud | Intermediate |
| Google Cloud Professional Cloud Architect | Google Cloud | Advanced |